Printing



. C. E. GRAY July 19, 1938.

PRINTING Original Filed Feb. 12, 1934 WHITE OIL BASE con TING PENCIL SKETCH OR THE LIKE DES/6N OFFSET FROM 2 THESE P9915 Fol/7250 0117 I fizz/62%":

PRINT/N6 5UFF/7OE matter.

Patented July 19, 1938 Clyde E. Gray, Chicago, seven and one-half 1) Chicago, 11]., and twen Ill., assignor of twentyercent to Marlin Hurt, ty percent to McLaughlin & Wallenstein, Chicago, 111.. a partnership composed of John J. McLaughlin and Sidney Wallenstein Application February 12,

1934, Serial No. 710,895

Renewed December 1, 1937 9 Claims.

My invention relates in general to printing. It relates more in particular to an improved method for reproducing sketches and the like, together with the materials employed in the 5 practice of the method. 7

It is well-known that there are a large number of methods employed in reproducing one or more negatives of pictures, sketches,and the like, .whereby to reproduce such pictures in printed Substantially all methods in common use have their own particular advantages, are most suitable for certain purposes, and in general produce somewhat different effects on the eye. Processes for producing pictures, sketches,

and the like, may in general be divided into the class of processes in which plates are produced capable of successfully making a large number of impressions, say on the order of two hundred and fifty thousand, or more; and methods resulting in the production of printing plates which are in general capable of producing a smaller number. of impressions, say on the order of twenty five thousand, or thereabouts. For example, etchings and the like typify the former class.

'25 The latter class is typified by processes wherein designs are reproduced by wood blocks, by rubber mats and. the like. In-the latter types of processes, the design is usually cut out by hand, thereby securing certain advantages, but alsoencountering many disadvantages, as those skilled in the art understand.

The principal object of my present invention is the provision of an improved process for reproducing designs such as pictures, sketches, nd the like. I

Another object is the provision of a process particularly suited for use when a relatively small number of impressions are desired, but/capable of ready adaptation for the purpose ofproducing .a relatively large number of impressions.

Another object is the provision of a printing process of the character described, wherein the reproduction of the printing plate is greatly 45 simplified.

Another object is the provision of an improved material from which to manufacture printing plates of the character used for reproducing designs, sketches, and the like.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent as the detailed description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing, I illustrate an embodiment of my invention indicating some 55 of the main steps in the carrying out of my process in the use of my improved product. In such drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective View partly broken away showing the printing plate blank used in accord-,

ance with my invention, the coating forming a I part of the blank being shown relatively thicker for illustration purposes;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a plate such as shown in Fig. 1, showing the design applied thereon; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the appearance of the plate when completed.

For the convenience of those skilled in the art, I shall first describe a specific and preferred embodiment of my invention, and thereafter shall" show the manner in which the same can be modified within the scope of the claims. At this time, I wish to state also that the term plate is employed throughout in a general sense to include any type of surface from which designs otherl than ordinary type are printed, and no limitation as to the character or type of material is l to be inferred unless a limitation appears in the context.

The first step in the practice 0 is the provision of a suitable material from which the printing plates of my invention are to be produced. An extremely satisfactory product is produced by selecting a relatively dense linoleum of conventional type and treating the same to form a very hard but tough and non-friable surface thereon. Several different types of coatings can be employed for the purpose, but in general f my invention? an oil base enamel prepared to dry with a very hard surface is most suitable for the purpose as canvas and a relatively thick layer consisting-g.

essentially of powdered cork and linseed oil can be used. I prefer to use a linoleum having a,

thickness of approximately an eighth of an inch, and in which the linoleum material is veryv dense. The linoleum product sold as Armstrongs:

Battleship Linoleum is very suitable.

In producing my plate material, I first dress down the surface of the linoleum to remove all superficial matter such as grease,-wax, and the like, and also to produce a very smooth but some-,

What porous surface. This step is carried out very satisfactorily by scrubbing with ordinary pumice stone until a perfectly uniform, dull, clean surface is obtained. The linoleum is now allowed to dry until all traces of moisture have been evaporated. The time required forthis will vary, depending upon atmospheric conditions. The polished linoleum surface is now covered by applying the Enameloid or other suitable coating material to the same, preferably by spraying. The coating should be sufficiently thick to cover the surface thoroughly and leave a perfectly smooth, dense coat; although in general I prefer that the coating not be thick enough to interfere with the flexibility of the linoleum. I find that the best coat is one which is as thin as possible and will still cover the linoleum uniformly and leave a hard finish. After the coating has been applied, it is allowed to set. Here again the time required depends upon conditions. When an enamel is used, I prefer to allow at least one week for the coating to set, but preferably twelve to fourteen days before using the product.

The next step in the operation is transferring the design, such as a sketch, to the hard linoleum coating. This is done by wiping the coating with a material which will cause a very slight softening of the extreme outer surface. I find that a very suitable liquid for this purpose is ordinary alcohol. After the surface has been treated with the alcohol, it is wiped dry and the design in the form of a pencil, ink, or crayon sketch, or in fact made in any of the ways in which original designs are usually produced, is placed flat against the surface and pressure applied thereto to cause the sketch to be applied in reverse onto the surface. To assist in transferring the sketch to the surface of the plate material, the sketch may be burnished with a smooth, blunt instrument and this will cause all of the lines to be transferred to the white surface of the plate material. Another method is to apply the drawing to the surface of the plate material and run the two together between rollers made of a hard substance so as to give a smooth, even pressure that gives approximately the equivalent ofburnishing. This methodis very satisfactory because it absolutely does away with any slipping between the design and surface against which it is appliedand also because thecapacity is increased, as, in general, it takes considerably less time to effect the transfer by the latter method.

After the design has been applied to the plate material, portions of the linoleumare cut away to removethat portion which is not intended to be printed. This is done in several different ways, depending upon the design, skill of the operator, and other conditions. In general, the most satisfactorymethod is to trim the larger portions of the design by means of a machine tool, such as a routing tool, and then to finish up the design by hand. This produces a plate with a raised surface, very suitable for printing and having other advantages as will be pointed out.

If a design is to be reproduced in a number of colors, this is readily taken care of by the method of my invention. I find that the design may be transferred at least three times, and usually as much as seven or eight times, while still giving distinct outlines which are easily followed in cutting the plate. As an example, supposing a design is to be made in green and yellow. In this case, the original artists drawing will usually be done in green and yellow. Two transfers are made from the same drawing, and in one case the yellow portion of the drawing is left in relief and in the second case the green portion is left in relief. In printing, these two platesare registered the same as in any other type of color printing so as to produce the final two-color print.

After the plates have been produced, they are mounted on type-high blocks with wood or metal backs of the type sometimes referred to as a patten base, in each case as required for use in the particular type of printing'equipment em- 10 ployecl. For example, the plates can be used on an ordinary flat bed press or they can be used on a rotary press, because the linoleum is of such a character that it will readily take the curve of the roller.

The surfaced linoleum plate of my invention offers considerable advantage in printing over the rubber plates that have been used in some cases in the past and which most closely resemble the plates of my invention. My plates are 20 superior to the rubber plates, first because they I require no special attention, they can be used on any type of press, and produce a very clear, clean outline independent of the pressure applied thereto in making the impression. 25

Printing plates made in accordance with the process outlined above stand up for a considerable length of time, in general, considerably longer than rubber mats, wood. blocks, and similar printing surfaces, which the present invention is in, 30 large part intended to supplant. However, where a large number of impressions is desired, I can employ the plates of my invention to produce stereotypes or electrotypes directly. To do this, the surfaced linoleum plate is first chilled eitherr. in cold water or air to reduce its plasticity. While this chilling is not absolutely necessary, I find that it improves the results sometimes to some considerableextent. A paper mat blank is then laid over the surfaced linoleum plate and a com-{25.4

I pressible medium laid upon the mat, and the entire assembly placed in a press, according to the usual methods of making a so-called paper mat orother mat usually used in the art. In making a so-called wet mat, it is preferable to place as;

sheet of foil against the surfaced linoleum plate,

then the wet paper on top of the metal foil, after which the usual pressure against a compressible medium is applied to force the paper down into the cut-away portions of the plate. The papers; mat may be dried while still in contact with the plate, in accordance with the prevailing custom. The mat so made can be used for producing either stereotypes'or electrotypes, or'in fact any of the usual plates employed for producing designs.

There are several outstanding advantages in the use of the process of my invention, and other minor advantages which those skilled in the art will understand. In the first place, it furnishes the only process, with which I am familiar, by'cf60 means of which a printer can make a preliminary run of, say, a few hundred to several thousand, and then, if he wishes to extend the run, he can produce a stereotype from the original plate from which the initial run was made. The proc-- 65 ess is so simple that within a very short time after a sketch has been produced by an artist, a

proof can be run thereof using the same printing plate that would be employed in the printing of a very large number of reproductions. 70

other printing processes. This is particularly true where a large, flat surface is involved. The plate can be made, however, to print very fine lines and for a comparatively short run, good results can be produced. 1 Another advantage is that the method offers a quicker and simpler means of transferring a design and producing a plate therefrom. It also enables the processor to avoid finishing a drawing, as the transfer can be made directly from an original sketch. It offers advantages over such materials as rubber, wood blocks, and the like, because the material is easily routed by machine and it is unnecessary to do all the finishing work by hand. Another advantage is that the materials employed are relatively inexpensive but at the same time do not require any special treatment in the pressroom. For example, the surface can be washed or treated with any substance which is used'for washing type and ordinary printing plates, thus affording an advantage over rubber, which must be kept out of contact with many materialsfound around the ordinary-pressroom. The. method offers the advantage of many different techniques and effects insofar as the finish thereof is concerned, while at the same time plates, including electrotypes and stereotypes, can be made at considerable saving in cost over methods now commonly used.

I can make several substitutions of materials in carrying out my process and, although results are produced which I do not consider quite as satisfactory as in the preferred method described above, still the method can be used with substituted materials with considerable advantage over methods now in use. In the first place, the surface material employed over the linoleum can be modified extensively. Enamel bonds readily with the linoleum and is preferred for this and other reasons. However, I may employ a very thin sheet of celluloid or other usual cellulose derivative materials capable of being produced in sheet form, and secure the same adhesively to the upper surface of the linoleum. Various types of condensation products may be furnished in sheet form and secured in the same way. I may also employ other types of surfacing materials, such as varnishes made from condensation products, such as phenolic resins, lacquers, special types of hard drying paints, and the like. Considerable difficulty is found, however, in employing the condensation products in obtaining the proper hardness and toughness of the coating. Lacquers and the like can be employed with suitable plasticizing agents and, if used within a comparatively short time, say two or three weeks, good results can be obtained. I find, however, that lacquers tend to become more brittle with age and finally will become unsuited to the purpose.

In place of a linoleum made entirely from powdered cork and linseed oil, I may use socalled linoleums containing various types of bonding and filler materials. For example, wood pulp, some earthy materials in pulverulent form, and other substances ofthis kind are sometimes used as fillers, while in place of linseed oil, and sometimes in addition to the linseed oil, other drying and semi-drying oils can be used. For good results, whatever the composition of the linoleum, it is desirable that it be of substantially the same density and other characteristics of the so-called battleship linoleum, and that it be semi-flexible and capable of comparatively easy cutting with a knife or other tool. Some forms of material containing a great deal of asphalt for example can be used with fair results. When I use the term linoleum therefore I employ it in a broad sense to include true linoleums and linoleum-like products. In addition to linoleum,

I can employ other types of base materials, such as sheets made of so-called plastic wood, wood itself, and other types of materials capable of being worked, possessing some toughness, not too brittle, and capable of withstanding sufficient pressure without deforming to permit the manufacture of stereotype mats. In each case, of course, the base material is provided with a tough surface coating to assure the formation of sharp lines for printing, and facilitating the formation of the mats.

It is believed that the preceding description is sufficiently clear to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention For further clearness, however, the invention will be referred to briefly by reference to the accompanying drawing.

The block shown in Fig. 1 comprises linoleum l0 with an oil base coating ll, preferably white, anda' support I2, such as a block of wood, designed to make the surface of the coating typehigh. The oil base coating is shown relatively thick but, as previouslynoted, it should be thick enough to completely cover the linoleum but thin enough so as not to substantially reduce the flexibility thereof. The coating is formed of a paint-like material such as the oil base gloss paint known in the paint trade as enamel. Non-cellulosic paint-like materials having an oil base readily adherent .to the linoleum, which in itself does not resist the wetting action of oil, adhere firmly to the linoleum. This coating has the double function of providing a ready means for the transfer of simple pencil sketches, for example, and of providing a surface which will stand up longer in printing than the usual linoleum surface.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the process of applying the design, and the appearance of the finished not so satisfactory, can be used to reproduce my results on some types of work. My invention, however, is not limited to the matter specifically described, but the scope thereof is set out in the appended claims.

As is well known, the term linoleum includes compositions comprising a filler, such as cork, a binder, such as oxidized linseed oil, with or without pigments and with or without the conventional backing of canvas or the like. It will be understood that the term linoleum, as used throughout the specification and claims, possesses this well understood significance.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A method of forming a printing plate which comprises applying a relatively thin oil base coatingto a smooth plane surface of linoleum, drying the coating, treating said coating to partially plasticize the surface thereof, pressing a paper on which a design has been drawn against the coating to cause said design to be transferred to the coating, and routing out the design by removing the coating and portion of the linoleum.

2. The method of making a printing plate which comprises applying, an oil base coating to linoleum, drying the coating, and forming a design in relief by partially cutting away the coating and the linoleum under the same.

3. A printing plate comprising a linoleum base, and a printing surface consisting of a relatively thin oil base coating attached to the base.

4. The method of forming a printing plate which comprises applying to a linoleum-surface a light colored oil base coating to provide a hard,

dense surface on said linoleum, pressing against the coating a previously prepared design on a cellulosic surface, the design being offset onto said paint-like coating, and routing out the design by removing a portion of the coating and linoleum underneath the same.

5. The method of forming a printing plate which comprises applying a relatively thin coating of white oil base enamel to a linoleum surface, applying a design on the coating by offsetting the same from a paper surface on which the design has been drawn, and routing out the design by removing portions of the coating and underlying linoleum.

6. A printing plate comprising a plane sheet of linoleum provided with a relatively thin adherent oil base coating, a part of said coating and the linoleum sheet therebeneath being cut away to form a design in relief.

7. A printing plate comprising a linoleum base material provided with an adherent white relatively hard oil base coating, a part of said coating and the base material therebeneath being cut away to form a'design in relief.

8. A method of forming a printing plate which comprises providing a sheet of linoleum having a relatively hard oil base coating on one surface thereof, treating said coated surface to partially plasticize it, transferring a design upon said plasticized surface, and routing out the design by removing the coating and a portion of the underlying linoleum.

9. A method of forming a printing plate which comprises providing a sheet of linoleum having a white relatively hard oil base coating on one surface thereof, treating said coated surface to partially plasticize it, transferring a design upon said plasticized surface, and routing out the design by removing the coating and a portion of the underlying linoleum.

CLYDE E. GRAY. 

